From Self-Published to Oxford
I am passionate about music education, specifically Popular Music Education, Creativity, and Informal Learning. So passionate, in fact, that I have written two books under my own publishing company, Steve's Music Room Publishing, and have been commissioned for a third through the Oxford University Press--yes, that Oxford University Press. I had always dreamed of someday writing a book about something. When I was a kid, I would write video game manuals and different things for fun (I know, weird). I am sure many other people have this dream [...]
Musicast Episode 13: Abbie Van Klompenberg- Trauma-Informed Teaching
A PhD student from the University of Kentucky, Abbie Van Klompenberg, joins Kevin and Marissa for a conversation about trauma-informed teaching! As we return from break with the first episode of the new year, this is a wonderful reminder for teachers of any grade. [...]
Growing Young Professionals: Contracts
For this installment of Growing Young Professionals, we will discuss contracts with none other than Dr. Jenny Neff, Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the MM in Music Education & Summer Music Studies Program at the University of the Arts. So, what are contracts? Most people sign contracts all of the time, even if they do not realize it. Checked to agree with the terms and conditions? That’s a contract! Signed a lease? That’s a contract! Took out a line of credit? Surprise, another contract! Contracts [...]
Research to Practice: Pivoting from the Status Quo
Conducting research often can seem like falling down a rabbit hole. One study answers initial questions, the analysis and implications lead to more questions…lather, rinse, and repeat for forever. This research is the embodiment of using one research study as the basis for another. [...]
Musicast Episode 12: Gold Revere- Success Through Remote Music Production
Gold Revere, an up and coming hip hop duo, talk with Kevin and Marissa about their music education, inspiration, music production process, and new EP! [...]
Musicast Episode 11: Dr. Christopher Azzara
Dr. Christopher Azzara, Professor at the Eastman School of Music, talks about his work as a teacher, jazz pianist, and researcher with the Musicast Duo! [...]
The New Normal: Starting a Job During a Pandemic
I started a new job this fall at Boston University and I love it. I am an Assistant Professor of Music (Music Education). My job is mostly to work with graduate students on interesting, challenging topics and publish research in my area of expertise. Basically, my dream job (after International Rock Star, for which there is no application process anyway, and to which I came as close as I ever will this past summer when I played on another obscure album with my best friend in the world, [...]
Holiday Gift Guide: Music Teacher Edition
I love gift guides. There's nothing better than someone on the internet telling me what I should buy for the people in my life! What is so great about gift guides? If you're someone like me (who does not enjoy shopping), it's nice to have a perfectly curated gift at the click of a button. This gift guide is specifically for the music educator in your life. As a music educator of 15 years, I am well-versed in the world of treble clef jewelry and cheeky music teacher [...]
Musicast Episode 10: Scott Sheehan- The Future of Music Education
Scott Sheehan, the next president of the National Association for Music Education, sits down to talk with Marissa and Kevin about COVID teaching and what comes next, post-pandemic. [...]
The “New Normal”: Running a Popular Music Program in Australia
Like most, if not all, music institutions around the world, the lockdown resulting from COVID-19 necessitated a swift move of all of our teaching to online, and a consequent steep learning curve especially for instrumental and ensemble teachers who had never had to operate in that kind of environment. At the Queensland Conservatorium, where 75% of courses are practical in nature, this posed of course enormous learning and teaching challenges as we strove to still offer our students an optimal learning experience – this was especially challenging for [...]
Research to Practice: Developing Musicianship
The potential for growth when teachers listen to each of their students, help them develop their own musicality, and engage an entire group of them in active listening is just…well, the possibilities are endless. [...]
Growing Young Professionals: Human Resources
In this installment of Growing Young Professionals, we will be talking about Human Resource Management! So, what is HRM? Most young professionals have heard of a Human Resources (HR) department, but not many have interacted with one. Most large scale organizations (school districts, businesses) have an HR department that supports employees. When you apply for a job at a school, you will almost always contact the school’s HR department, which handles the initial steps of the hiring process (reviewing resumes, checking backgrounds). Once you accept a position, the [...]